The Redskins face mounting trouble as they try to defend Drew Brees in Week 1. The Washington Examiner reports starting strong safety Brandon Meriweather will miss two to four weeks with a knee injury (torn MCL, PCL).

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Meriweather, who signed a two-year contract with the team in March after one season in Chicago, suffered the injury in Monday's practice. With the Redskins already losing safety Tanard Jackson to an indefinite substance-abuse suspension, they're hurting at the worst possible position.

The Saints excel at exploiting the middle of the field with tight end Jimmy Graham, running back Darren Sproles and wide receiver Lance Moore. The Redskins will now attempt to hold up there with an uninspiring journeyman mix.

Meriweather, a 2007 first-round pick of the Patriots, was a two-time Pro Bowl selection in New England. He's known for his freewheeling, hard-hitting style in the secondary, something that's also made him undisciplined and reckless at times. Without him, Washington's defensive backfield has dug an even bigger hole.